Deaths in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

Abstract

During a 5-year-period, 19 children died of complications of sickle cell anemia, giving a 5 year mortality rate of 8.4% in this Chicago clinic. The children, 13 girls, 6 boys, ranged in ages from 7 months to 13 years. A disproportionate number of deaths occurred amongst the younger chil dren. Infections caused 6 deaths, acute splenic sequestration crisis 4, cerebrovascular occlusion 3, cardiovascular pulmonary 3, profound un explained anemia 1, anemia secondary to epistaxis 1, and unexplained 1.